The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus Lina Kassianidou signed the First Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Greece and Cyprus.

The Agreement provides for the exchange of good practices concerning the organisation of archaeological museums, with emphasis on the construction of the new Archaeological Museum in Nicosia, as well as the organisation and exchange of temporary exhibitions. A mutual objective under the Agreement is to support productions, co-productions and the participation of theatre groups in festivals and educational programmes, with Cyprus’ regular presence in all major festivals in Greece.

At the same time, the political will of the two sides to strengthen traditional and modern crafts through the exchange of know-how and good practices, the strengthening of craftsmen and designers, the organization of training programmes and the overall creation of strategic programmes for the restoration and development of crafts in both countries, which have a long and important tradition in the genre, was confirmed.

It was agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries within the framework of international organizations, especially UNESCO, given the great experience that Greece has in the preparation of candidacy files, for the benefit of the Cypriot ones.

Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation in the field of protection of cultural goods from illicit trafficking, with the two countries taking the initiative to create a network with other Mediterranean countries, with which Greece and Cyprus have excellent cultural cooperation. The Government of Greece has acted vigorously and with full determination in its efforts to combat all illicit trafficking, having taken a number of measures against looting and theft of cultural goods at legislative, administrative and executive level within the country and pursuing coordinated international action in this field.